Desmopressin stimulation testing: Response to intravenous and intranasal forms

Desmopressin is commonly used to reduce bleeding in patients with mucocutaneous bleeding disorders and is available in both intravenous and intranasal forms. Given the variability in response to desmopressin at an individual level, its effectiveness should be assessed with a test dose prior to being advised for use. At this time, no trial has extensively compared the use of intranasal desmopressin to intravenous desmopressin.

To determine whether both forms of desmopressin are equally effective in yielding a positive response in laboratory assays in paediatric patients with von Willebrand disease or probable von Willebrand disease.

We evaluated medical record data for 58 patients who underwent desmopressin stimulation testing in our haematology clinic during a 1-year period. Data were collected on demographic information and haematologic laboratory assays prior to desmopressin administration and one hour following desmopressin.

There was an absolute increase in von Willebrand antigen to levels appropriate for haemostasis following both forms of desmopressin, although this increase was significantly greater in the intravenous group compared to the intranasal group. There was also a significant absolute increase in Ristocetin Cofactor and Factor VIII levels following desmopressin in both groups.

Both intravenous and intranasal forms of desmopressin produce a positive response during desmopressin stimulation testing and can be used to identify patients for whom this medication would be effective.